Preparing your home for sale and open for inspections

Inspections are like a first date. You only get one chance to make that first impression. Set your property up for inspection success with these simple tips.

• Make sure your whole property is neat and tidy when buyers arrive, including the garden and outside areas.
• Dust, vacuum, scrub, wash, buff everything
• Get the big clean out of the way in advance, then keep your place in good condition while your place is on the market. That way you should only need a refresh to prepare for a new inspection date, rather than a top to bottom makeover
• Don’t forget to clean inside ovens, cupboards and wardrobes, in case potential buyers indulge a snoop.
• Remove shoes from the entrance and tidy up that common junk room
• Air out your home thoroughly before the inspection, so it feels as fresh and clean as possible. If potential buyers feel stuffy they’ll head straight for the door.
• Open windows and doors during the inspections themselves, so air keeps flowing through.
• Draw back curtains and blinds and turn on all the lights
• Deodorise your property to remove the whiff of little creatures and get someone who doesn’t normally live there to confirm you’re clear (you might be used to it and can’t sniff what others can).
• Remove any litter boxes or droppings from the yard, and give your pets an outing during inspections.
• Put away all your valuables and personal items
• Don’t have too many family portraits on display. Sometimes buyers cannot visualise themselves living there when your family is looking at them!
• Fresh flowers look good and make the home feel fresh and inviting